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DIABETES: A
CHANGE CAN
DO YOU GOOD
YOU MAY BE
surprised to learn that people are some-
times thankful for being diagnosed with diabetes.
Mercy Diabetes Educator Sue Szczech, RN, CDE,
hears it all the time. “Many people tell me that learning
to control diabetes is the best thing that ever happened
to them,” she says. “Because of diabetes, they learn how
to live a healthy lifestyle.”
A diagnosis of diabetes feels like a
catastrophe at first. But Sue sees a pow-
erful transition as people learn to man-
age diabetes. “They move from fear and
concern to having a sense of victory,” she
adds. “When diabetes is under control, it
gives the individual and the whole family
a feeling of well-being.”
PREVENTION
Even better than learning to live with dia-
betes is changing your life ahead of time. That’s the goal
of Mercy’s prediabetes education class. It is intended for
people who do not have diabetes, but who have higher
than normal glucose. Learning to change behaviors can
help prevent a diagnosis of diabetes. These classes are
taught by a nurse educator and a dietitian. Remaining
2015 classes are scheduled for Oct. 15 and Dec. 10.
For information or registration, call Mercy On Call at
319-358-2767
or toll-free at
800-358-2767
, or visit
www.mercyiowacity.org/diabetes-education.
Sue Szczech,
RN, CDE
WE KNOW OUR
health can change as we age. Eyesight
may falter. Hearing may fade. Fatigue may build.
But are we right to blame it all on aging? Maybe not,
experts say. In fact, many so-called signs of aging may ac-
tually point to another serious condition: type 2 diabetes.
IS IT THE SUGAR?
Diabetes is related to how we convert
food to energy. When we eat, our bodies break down food
into glucose, a type of sugar. Glucose powers our cells.
Insulin helps glucose move from the blood into the cells.
People with type 2 diabetes either don’t make enough
insulin or their bodies don’t use insulin correctly. Either
way, glucose builds up in the blood.
High blood sugar causes a number of symptoms, some
of which can be confused with aging. For instance:
Poor vision.
Too much glucose can distort structures
in the eye and blur vision.
Trouble hearing.
High glucose damages blood vessels
and nerves. When that damage occurs in the ear, hear-
ing can suffer.
Growing fatigue.
When food isn’t properly converted
into energy, you can feel run down.
Greater appetite.
Glucose trapped in the blood can’t
reach—and fuel—your cells. Your body believes more
fuel is needed. Result? Hunger pangs.
Increasing thirst.
Kidneys remove excess glucose
from the blood. The body expels it as urine. The more
you urinate, the thirstier you get.
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor.
You may need a blood test to check for type 2 diabetes.
ARE YOU AT RISK?
A lack of symptoms doesn’t always
mean you’re diabetes-free. Many people with type 2 dia-
betes have no symptoms. That’s why it’s also important
to know the risk factors for diabetes.
For instance, diabetes is more common when people
are older, overweight and have family members with the
condition.
Ask your doctor if you should be tested for type 2 dia-
betes. If you do have it, your doctor can help you keep
it under control.
Sources: American Association of Diabetes Educators; American Diabetes Association
KNEE REPLACEMENT
LOOKING FOR
A NEW LEASE
ON LIFE?
Knee surgery may be what
gets you going again
PARTS OF YOUR
KNEE
are like the shock absorbers on
your car. You rely on them to cushion your ride.
But after many miles on the road, wear and tear can
reduce the effectiveness of that cushion and make for a
painful journey. And just like the shocks on your car,
you may eventually need to replace your worn-out parts.
WHEN MAY SURGERY BE NEEDED?
If your knees are
badly damaged by arthritis or injury, it may become
difficult to perform simple activities, like walking or go-
ing up stairs. If medications, lifestyle changes and other
treatments do not relieve your pain, you may want to
consider knee replacement surgery.
The No. 1 reason for knee replacement is arthritis,
according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons (AAOS). One common type, osteoarthritis,
occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones of the
knee wears away. The bones then rub together, causing
stiffness and pain.
Other popular reasons for knee replacement include
having rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis caused by a seri-
ous knee injury, such as a fracture or torn knee ligaments.
HOW IS THE SURGERY PERFORMED?
Total knee re-
placement surgery involves a surgeon replacing the sur-
faces of your knee joint and kneecap with metal or plastic
parts or a combination of both. If only part of your knee
joint is damaged, your doctor may recommend a partial
knee replacement.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND BENEFITS?
More than 90
percent of knee replacement patients experience a dra-
matic reduction in pain and a significant improvement in
ability to perform daily activities, according to the AAOS.
But at some point you may need to have more surgery
to fix or replace the artificial parts, reports the AAOS.
Want more information about joint replacement?
Or an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon? Talk
to your personal physician about your situation or call
Mercy On Call at
319-358-2767
or toll-free at
800-358-2767
.
COULD IT BE DIABETES?
Don’t chalk up symptoms to getting older
We l l n e s s
Get in control of diabetes
Mercy Iowa City’s diabetes self-management education
program has been awarded continued recognition from the
American Diabetes Association (ADA). This means that it has
a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can pro-
vide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management.
Participants in ADA-recognized programs will be taught, as
needed, self-care skills that will promote better management
of their diabetes treatment regimen.
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